Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation ...

102 Pages·2014·2.46 MB·English

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy and Traveller
and Travelling Showpeople
Accommodation Assessment

Final Report
September 2014

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Opinion Research Services The Strand, Swansea SA1 1AF
Nigel Moore | Dr Claire Thomas | Ciara Small| Steve Jarman
enquiries: 01792 535300 · [email protected] · www.ors.org.uk
© Copyright September 2014

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment
Contents
1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 7
Background .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Gypsy and Traveller Site Summary ................................................................................................................ 8
Travelling Showpeople Yard Summary .......................................................................................................... 8
Key Findings & Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 9
Gypsy and Traveller Future Residential Pitch Provision ................................................................................ 9
Travelling Showpeople Future Plot Provision................................................................................................ 9
Transit/Emergency Stopping Site Provision ................................................................................................ 10
Stakeholder Engagement ............................................................................................................................ 10
2. Introduction................................................................................................................................. 11
The Survey ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Legislation and Guidance for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople ..................................... 13
Planning Policy for Traveller Sites ............................................................................................................... 15
Tackling Inequalities for Gypsy and Traveller Communities ....................................................................... 17
Funding ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
3. Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 19
Stage 1: Desk-Based Research ..................................................................................................................... 19
Stage 2: Stakeholder EngagementDesk-Based Research ............................................................................ 19
Stage 3: Working Collaboratively with Local Planning Authorities ............................................................. 20
Stage 4: Survey of Travelling Communities ................................................................................................. 21
Stage 5: Bricks and Mortar Households ...................................................................................................... 22
Stage 6: Current and Future Pitch/Plot Requirements................................................................................ 22
Stage 7: Conclusions .................................................................................................................................... 23
4. Background Information .............................................................................................................. 24
Background .................................................................................................................................................. 24
UK Census of Population 2011 .................................................................................................................... 25
Caravan Count ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Sites ............................................................................................................................................................. 29
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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment
Travelling Showpeople Households in the Fylde Coast Authorities ............................................................ 32
5. Stakeholder Consultation - Findings .............................................................................................. 33
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 33
Telephone Interviews and Parish and Town Council Postal Survey ............................................................ 33
Focus Groups ............................................................................................................................................... 34
Identifying Travellers in Bricks and Mortar and Mobile Home Accommodation ........................................ 35
Discussion Agenda ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Reporting Engagement with Stakeholders .................................................................................................. 36
Blackpool Council – Key Findings ................................................................................................................. 36
Fylde Borough Council – Key Findings ......................................................................................................... 39
Wyre Borough Council – Key Findings ......................................................................................................... 41
Regional Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................. 43
Neighbouring Local Authorities ................................................................................................................... 43
Other Local Authorities ............................................................................................................................... 46
Conclusions and Areas of Consideration ..................................................................................................... 50
6.Gypsy and Traveller Interviews and Survey Results ........................................................................... 51
Survey of the Gypsy and Traveller Population ............................................................................................ 51
Previous Residence ...................................................................................................................................... 53
Type of Pitch ................................................................................................................................................ 53
Length of Residence .................................................................................................................................... 54
Connections with the Area .......................................................................................................................... 54
Local Services ............................................................................................................................................... 55
Bricks and Mortar ........................................................................................................................................ 55
Ethnic Background ....................................................................................................................................... 56
Age of the Population .................................................................................................................................. 56
Health Problems .......................................................................................................................................... 56
Existing Sites ................................................................................................................................................ 57
Perception of Current Sites ......................................................................................................................... 57
Travelling ..................................................................................................................................................... 59
7.Travelling Showpeople Interviews and Survey Results ....................................................................... 62
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 62
Survey of the Travelling Showpeople Population ....................................................................................... 62
Length of Residence .................................................................................................................................... 63
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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Connections with the Area .......................................................................................................................... 63
Local Services ............................................................................................................................................... 64
Bricks and Mortar ........................................................................................................................................ 64
Housing Needs ............................................................................................................................................. 65
Future Needs ............................................................................................................................................... 65
Satisfaction with Living at Current Address ................................................................................................. 66
Age and Household Profile .......................................................................................................................... 66
8. Future Site Provision ........................................................................................................................ 67
Site Provision ............................................................................................................................................... 67
Supply of pitches and plots ......................................................................................................................... 68
Current Need ............................................................................................................................................... 68
Future Need ................................................................................................................................................. 68
Gypsies and Travellers ................................................................................................................................. 68
Current Gypsy Site Provision ....................................................................................................................... 68
Additional Site Provision: Current Need ...................................................................................................... 69
Current and Recent Unauthorised Developments ...................................................................................... 70
Concealed Households ................................................................................................................................ 70
Bricks and Mortar ........................................................................................................................................ 71
Additional Site Provision: Future Need ....................................................................................................... 73
Temporary Planning Permissions ................................................................................................................ 73
New Household Formation.......................................................................................................................... 74
In-migration from Other Sources ................................................................................................................ 76
Overall Needs for Fylde Coast ..................................................................................................................... 76
Overall Needs for Each Authority ................................................................................................................ 77
Blackpool ..................................................................................................................................................... 78
Fylde ............................................................................................................................................................ 79
Wyre ............................................................................................................................................................ 80
Split to 2031 ................................................................................................................................................. 81
Transit/Emergency Stopping Site Provision ................................................................................................ 81
Travelling Showpeople ................................................................................................................................ 82
Needs for Plots for Travelling Showpeople ................................................................................................. 82
Current Travelling Showperson Yard Provision ........................................................................................... 82
Additional Yard Provision: Current Need .................................................................................................... 82

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Current Unauthorised Developments ......................................................................................................... 82
Concealed Households ................................................................................................................................ 83
Bricks and Mortar ........................................................................................................................................ 83
Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... 83
Additional Site Provision: Future Need ....................................................................................................... 83
Temporary Planning Permissions ................................................................................................................ 83
New Household Formation.......................................................................................................................... 83
In-migration from Other Sources ................................................................................................................ 84
Overall Needs for Fylde Coast ..................................................................................................................... 85
Overall Needs for Each Authority ................................................................................................................ 85
Blackpool ..................................................................................................................................................... 86
Fylde ............................................................................................................................................................ 87
Wyre ............................................................................................................................................................ 88
Split to 2031 in 5 year Time Period ............................................................................................................. 88
9. Conclusions ...................................................................................................................................... 89
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 89
Gypsy and Traveller Future Residential Pitch Provision .............................................................................. 89
Travelling Showpeople Future Plot Provision.............................................................................................. 89
Appendix A: Existing Gypsy and Traveller Residential Sites in Fylde Coast Sub-Region ............................ 90
Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Blackpool ........................................................................................................ 90
Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Fylde ............................................................................................................... 91
Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Wyre ............................................................................................................... 92
Appendix B: Existing Travelling Showpeople Yards in Fylde Coast Area .................................................. 93
Travelling Showpeople Yards in Blackpool .................................................................................................. 93
Travelling Showpeople Yards in Fylde ......................................................................................................... 94
Travelling Showpeople Yards in Wyre ......................................................................................................... 95
Appendix C: ORS Technical Paper on New Household Formation ........................................................... 96

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

1. Executive Summary
Background
1.1 Opinion Research Services (ORS) were commissioned by the three Fylde Coast local authorities of
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre (the Fylde Coast sub-region) to undertake a Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling
Showpeople Accommodation Assessment.
1.2 The principle purpose of the Assessment is to inform the development of local plan policy in the Fylde
Coast sub-region relating to Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in a manner consistent with
government planning advice in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 and Planning
Policy for Traveller Sites 2012. Accordingly, it provides an up-to-date understanding of the likely permanent
and transit accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople within the sub-region
as a whole, and for each of the three participating authorities.
1.3 The Fylde Coast sub-region encompasses the area covered by the Unitary Authority of Blackpool Council
and the two-tier area covered by Lancashire County Council and the district councils of Fylde and Wyre. The
area stretches from the Ribble Estuary in the south to Morecambe Bay in the north and the Forest of
Bowland moorlands in the east. The area covers 384 sq. km and is home to 327,400 residents.
1.4 The three Authorities, plus Lancashire County Council, continue to work together on a range of strategic
issues, including the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, framed by an
agreed Memorandum of Understanding.
1.5 The methodology that was used to complete the study has been developed by ORS over the past 10 years
and has been regularly updated in line with changes to planning policy and other changes introduced by the
Government. In summary this included the following key stages of research and analysis:
» Stage 1: Desk-Based Research;
» Stage 2: Stakeholder Engagement;
» Stage 3: Working Collaboratively with Local Planning Authorities;
» Stage 4: Survey of Travelling Communities;
» Stage 5: Bricks and Mortar Households;
» Stage 6: Current and Future Pitch/Plot Requirements; and
» Stage 7: Conclusions.

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Gypsy and Traveller Site Summary
Blackpool Number of Pitches
Local Authority Sites 26 (+ 3 transit)
Private Sites with Permanent Permission 18
Private Sites with Temporary Permission 0
Tolerated Sites – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments 0
TOTAL PITCHES 44
Fylde Number of Pitches
Local Authority Sites 0
Private Sites with Permanent Permission 6
Private Sites with Temporary Permission 0
Tolerated Sites – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments 15
TOTAL PITCHES 21
Wyre Number of Pitches
Local Authority Sites 0
Private Sites with Permanent Permission 0
Private Sites with Temporary Permission 0
Tolerated Sites – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments (recent, but not current) 8
TOTAL PITCHES 8
Travelling Showpeople Yard Summary
Blackpool Number of Plots
Local Authority Yards 0
Private Yards with Permanent Permission 0
Private Yards with Temporary Permission 0
Tolerated Yards – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments 2
TOTAL PLOTS 2

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Fylde Number of Plots
Local Authority Yards 0
Private Yards with Permanent Permission 2
Private Yards with Temporary Permission 0
Tolerated Yards – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments 0
TOTAL PLOTS 2
Wyre Number of Plots
Local Authority Yards 0
Private Yards with Permanent Permission 0
Private Yards with Temporary Permission 10
Tolerated Yards – Long-term without planning permission 0
Unauthorised Developments 0
TOTAL PLOTS 10
Key Findings & Conclusions
Gypsy and Traveller Future Residential Pitch Provision
1.6 Based upon the evidence that was collected during the course of the study the estimated extra residential
pitch provision that is required for Gypsies and Travellers in the Fylde Coast over the next 17 years is 81
pitches to address local needs. The table below shows the requirements by 5 year time periods until 2031.

Local Authority 2014-2019 2019-2024 2024-2029 2029-2031 Total
Blackpool 21 7 7 3 38
Fylde 17 3 4 2 26
Wyre 12 2 2 1 17
Total 50 12 13 6 81
*To be consistent with local plan timescales across the Fylde Coast sub-region a year is taken as 1st April; to 31st March.
Travelling Showpeople Future Plot Provision
1.7 The estimated extra residential plot provision that is required for Travelling Showpeople in the Fylde Coast
over the next 17 years is 14 plots to address local needs. The table below shows the requirements by 5
year time periods until 2031.

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Fylde Coast Authorities Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Opinion Research Services September 2014
Assessment

Local Authority 2014-2019 2019-2024 2024-2029 2029-2031 Total
Blackpool 2 0 0 0 2
Fylde 0 0 0 0 0
Wyre 10 1 1 0 12
Total 12 1 1 0 14
*To be consistent with local plan timescales across the Fylde Coast sub-region a year is taken as 1st April; to 31st March.
Transit/Emergency Stopping Site Provision
1.8 A public transit site both provides a place for households in transit to an area and also a mechanism for
greater enforcement action by local authorities against inappropriate unauthorised encampments.
Currently, Blackpool has 3 pitches on a public transit site, but there is no transit site in the county of
Lancashire. The site in Blackpool cannot be used to redirect Travellers from elsewhere in Lancashire.
1.9 Evidence from the CLG Annual Caravan Count and from Lancashire County Council indicates that a
significant number of unauthorised encampments occur each year in Lancashire which a transit site may
help to address. We consider that households visiting Wyre and Fylde do need access to a transit site, but
this would not necessarily have to be located in these authorities. We would note that transit sites are an
area where cross boundary working could prove to be particularly effective and that the transit needs of
Gypsy and Travellers visiting Lancashire are an issue which should be considered at a more strategic level.
For clarity we consider that the transit site in Blackpool is addressing the needs of Blackpool, while at least
one transit site is required in Lancashire County Council area, but not necessarily in Fylde or Wyre.
Stakeholder Engagement
1.10 No pressing cross border issues were reported by officers from neighbouring areas.
1.11 It is recommended that the Fylde Coast Authorities use appropriate resources to help develop closer
working relationships, for instance, the three areas should work together to collate data on unauthorised
encampments.
1.12 It is understood, that a Lancashire-wide Gypsy and Traveller Forum has been set up by Lancashire officers
and has met once. We recommend this continues and:
» Shares the methodologies and findings from their GTAAs;
» Establishes a greater understanding of travelling patterns;
» Regularly exchanges information;
» Shares best practice on site management;
» Considers the distribution of need across the region;
» Explores the idea of developing a network of emergency stopping places across the
Lancashire County Council area and the Unitary authorities of Blackpool and Blackburn
with Darwen; and
» Develops a common protocol for managing unauthorised encampments.

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